DFB-Elf in the individual review: Young and brutally good playing

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1/17

Manuel Neuer, goal:

In the 27th minute he parried a conclusion from Eljif Elmas, otherwise he was busy playing over his central defenders and thus accelerating the build-up game.

Was lucky in the closing stages that Darko Churlinov shot well over the goal.

A goal in this game would at least have ruined the captain's mood.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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2/17

David Raum, Defense:

When Germany became dangerous in the initial phase, it went over Raum's left side.

He was only rarely involved.

But that was also due to the fact that he didn't want to leave rooms that were too large.

Became better and better involved in the offensive game, which of course was due to his excellent flanks, which were sometimes used in an inflationary way.

In the second half it got quieter around him.

Due to the injury to Robin Gosens, Hansi Flick is unlikely to get past him.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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3/17

Thilo Kehrer, defense:

Didn't always work safely in the center of the defense, even with the ball. As a left central defender, had to switch to the weaker foot more often, although the passes mostly came, but put the team-mate under direct pressure.

Kehrer will have a hard time when Antonio Rüdiger returns.

Photo: GEORGI LICOVSKI / EPA

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4/17

Niklas Süle, defense:

Blocked once in the first half against Eljif Elmas in dire need, but was otherwise allowed to concentrate on the build-up game and sometimes even get involved in the opposing half.

Could even emerge from the international trip as the winner, because Matthias Ginter was again left out.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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5/17

Lukas Klostermann, defense:

Should bring stability compared to the stronger variant with Jonas Hofmann, but had to nibble with Elmas in part.

His versatility, which enables an accident-free system change in the defense chain, is likely to be the strongest argument for him.

And that he hardly makes any mistakes.

As a national coach, you are all too happy to ignore deficiencies in the build-up of the game.

Photo: OGNEN TEOFILOVSKI / REUTERS

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6/17

Joshua Kimmich, midfield:

In the first half, I had to struggle not only with a laser pointer that targeted him at standards, but also with opponents who were obviously too easy for him.

Found himself as a header player in the second minute.

Because the surprise was not only big for the spectators, but also for himself, he was forgiven for not heading the ball past goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Photo: Boris Grdanoski / AP

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7/17

Leon Goretzka, midfield (up to 61st minute):

Already showed in the first minute what direct play can do to opponents like North Macedonia.

As a result, however, was mainly busy wiping through behind Kai Havertz and Thomas Müller and preventing the opponent from countering.

A more inconspicuous performance by the Bayern player, which doesn't have to be bad for a six.

Photo: Boris Grdanoski / AP

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8/17

Florian Wirtz, midfield (from 61st minute):

Didn't need a minute after being substituted on to give Timo Werner his first chance.

And the 18-year-old also had his feet in the game before the 2-0 win, although he didn't hit the ball properly.

What Wirtz is touching at the moment turns into gold.

Photo: GEORGI LICOVSKI / EPA

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9/17

Kai Havertz, Sturm (until 61st minute):

The ball was a weekly revelation, repeatedly caused danger from crosses with his strong left foot and stole the show from David Raum, whose unique selling point is actually the crosses.

In the second half also clever against the ball, which should weigh a little more heavily in the assessment of the game than the loose pushing in for the lead.

Photo: Boris Grdanoski / AP

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10/17

Karim Adeyemi, Sturm (from 61st minute):

Partly tried to get the ball deep to build a bond with the game.

Hardly ever had dangerous situations, but opened up spaces for the teammates through his walkways.

And as a 19-year-old prepared the final score for 18-year-old Musiala.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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11/17

Thomas Müller, Sturm (up to 74th minute):

Had his strongest actions for a long time with German ball losses.

As the first pressing player, he won back many balls or instructed his teammates to do so.

Ensures that the national team adapted the Flick attack pressing early on.

The magic started in the second half when he turned an unclean pass from Wirtz into an assist with just one contact in the direction of Werner.

Extremely important for the team.

Photo: Alex Grimm / Getty Images

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12/17

Florian Neuhaus, midfield (from the 80th minute):

Was allowed to rain for ten minutes in Skopje.

His substitution paid off especially in phases of possession.

Photo: GEORGI LICOVSKI / EPA

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13/17

Serge Gnabry, attack (up to 74th minute):

Was again one of the assets, but looked unhappy in his actions.

Missed several promising switching situations because he either tripped, warped, or played a bad pass.

Before the tour, however, with the door opener in the barrel of Müller, who only had to put aside for Kai Havertz.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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14/17

Jonas Hofmann, Sturm (from 74th minute):

After his right-back excursion against Romania, he came on the offensive right wing after being substituted on.

Should have his playing time due to this flexibility, but cannot choose the position.

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

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15/17

Timo Werner, Sturm (up to 74th minute):

Always became dangerous when there was direct contact against the opposing goal.

Had his Timo Werner moments when he hit Dimitrievski from close range in the 26th minute and hit the post just before the break.

In the second round, however, I forgot any doubts about his final qualities: dry finish at 2-0, wonderful fluff at 3-0.

Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Bratic / imago images / Nordphoto

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16/17

Jamal Musiala, Sturm (from the 74th minute): It was

n't just his substitution that showed what an offensive quality there is in this squad.

Was allowed to mix in a little more than a quarter of an hour - and insert freely in front of Dimitrievski to the final score.

At the age of just 18, he became the second youngest goal scorer in DFB history.

Photo:

Boris Grdanoski / AP

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17/17

Hansi Flick, trainer:

An asynchronous back four, which basically degenerated into a back three when David Raum once again advanced a long way, should remedy the susceptibility to counterattacking that Flicks was already worried about in Bavaria.

In practice, this worked so semi, especially towards the end of the game, the protection became more holey again.

That his attack pressing is already working in this way should be a good sign.

But it must first prove itself against stronger opponents.

Photo: VALDRIN XHEMAJ / EPA